Every day is a good day to be Jeremiah Williams.

“I set the tone for the day,” Williams said. “Have an amazing day.”

His attitude is infectious.

“I just have a great vibe,” Williams said. “I don’t let nothing negative come into my area.”

The senior linebacker and offensive lineman has helped Phil Dickens’ Wilson Prep Academy team defy the odds.

“It’s rare to have a kid who understands football,” Dickens explained. “Jeremiah understands the whole game which makes things a lot easier for me as a coach.”

In just the second year of the program’s existence, the Tigers made the fourth round of the state playoffs in 1A.

“Last season was our best season because we trusted each other,” Williams said. “Even though it was different people, we felt like we was as one.”

This season they’ve got their eyes set on a state title.

“It means a lot,” Williams said. “Be a part of history, have something under my name.”

Williams was a part of Wilson Prep Academy’s state championship basketball team last season. He also runs track for the Tigers. His course load is just as full.  Williams has a 3.8 weighted GPA and takes an array of AP courses.  He dreams of attending UNC Chapel Hill, but also has two offers to play college football.

“He’s a kid that every coach dreams of having,” Dickens said. “Gets his grades, does what he’s supposed to in the building. I always tell the kids, what you are in the building ends up being what you are on the field.”

Williams’ accomplishments in athletics and in the classroom earned him WRAL’s Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.

“It’s a blessing to get recognized for this award,” Williams said. “Not too many people around here get that, I thank God for this.”